Since the attempted Russian blitzkrieg of Ukraine in Feb. 2022, the Ukrainians and the Russians have burned through heavy munitions and artillery at unprecedented rates. Both Russia and the West have sped up their respective weapons production programs in response. It appears the Russians may be seeking to purchase ballistic missile systems from Iran or North Korea.

Straight Arrow News contributor Peter Zeihan reviews which weapons the Russians are shopping for and how exactly they hope to pay for them. In the end, Zeihan argues, this may be an opportunity for Western intelligence to observe the kinds of weapons capabilities that Iran and North Korea have to offer.

The following is an excerpt from Peter’s Jan. 16 “Zeihan on Geopolitics” newsletter:

The Russian military-industrial complex can’t keep up with the demands of the Ukraine War, so the Russians are sourcing large quantities of short-range ballistic missiles from North Korea and Iran.

This reveals, or confirms suspicions, that Russia’s production capacity for certain weapons systems has collapsed. Specifically, the Russians are sticking with their Soviet roots and purchasing Scud-like missiles for their outdated systems from the 60s and 70s. As the faux Scuds make their way to the front lines, Western intelligence will get a glimpse at North Korean and Iranian military capabilities.

Of course the Russians will deny this, but when you see some gold-heavy planes trickling over to Iran and North Korea…don’t be surprised. However, the Russians aren’t the only ones getting prepared. A number of European countries have ordered Patriot missiles, and Germany has reversed its plan to decommission its military.